ISL team signs a historic three-year international club partnership.

Premier League side Watford FC announced a three-year International Club Partnership with Indian Super League team Odisha FC on Wednesday.

The partnership will see the sides get involved in both footballing and non-footballing activities. Watford’s investment in the Bhubaneswar-based side comes as a massive boost to Indian football as the Premier League side will be playing an important role in developing the system in Odisha. As per the agreement, Odisha FC’s youth academy members will also get the chance to train with Watford’s players. Odisha’s players will have the opportunity to train at Vicarage Road during their pre-season and gain valuable experience from participating in friendly matches in England.

The partnership will also focus on grassroots programmes, scouting and develop the women’s football system in Odisha and across India. Friendly matches between both club’s women’s team is also on the agenda to help grow the game. The clubs will also support each other behind the scenes with collaboration and cooperation in selecting, implementing and training of support staff, coaches and even help each other with tactical analysis wherever possible. Aside from football, both clubs will also collaborate with each other over various marketing activities.

Speaking about the partnership, Watford FC’s Commercial Director Paul O’Brien said, “This is something really quite different and we love to get involved in new things that provide really different experiences for the club and our staff. Partnering with Odisha FC gives us a chance to get a real insight into football’s global appeal and affords us a great chance to share learnings with a similarly ambitious club. Learning more about India and exploring its cultural richness and passion for sport is something we’re all looking forward to doing right away.”

Odisha FC’s President Raj Athwal, who was previously an executive with Watford, spoke about the opportunities the tie-up will bring to Indian football as well as Odisha FC, “We are excited and proud to announce a unique partnership with English Premier League club Watford FC. With both clubs looking to grow their brands globally, the partnership provides a unique platform to not only share best practices in all areas of our club but enhance the development of future players. We are excited at the prospect of working with Watford FC’s coaches with a view to establishing a residential academy in Odisha, providing a conveyer belt of footballers who will one day proudly adorn the club colours and as part of their development have the opportunity to train at Watford’s esteemed academy too. For the Odisha supporters, there is the exciting prospect of potentially loaning players from Watford FC and equally, players from Odisha FC can be scouted to play in the English leagues.”

Watford FC are currently in action in the Premier League while Odisha FC will step on to the pitch during the upcoming season on the Indian Super League, starting November 19, 2021.